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BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS
1.
Understand inappropriate behavior
2.
The attention seeking child
3.
Bullying
4.
Aggressive behavior
7. Tantrum
8.
8 great ways to get
your kids to cooperate
Understand Inappropriate Behavior
There are several reasons for the display of
inappropriate behavior. There are also 'age stages' for unacceptable behaviors
and these types of behaviors are often outgrown when handled properly. We need
to remember that it is not wise to accept unacceptable behaviors. Think of the
message one sends by accepting annoying, inappropriate behaviors, essentially
one leads the child to believing that it's no big deal. Think of some of the
statements used to validate these behaviors:
'Oh, boys will be boys', or
'Oh, he'll outgrow it', or
'Oh it's just a stage he/she's going through'
Although we see these behaviors regularly, to do
nothing about it is not a good thing to do. There is no reason to expect or
accept inappropriate behaviors. Don't feel powerless, as though you can do
nothing, that's the mistake often made.
We need to understand the behavior, realize that it's
not appropriate regardless of the age or stage the child may be going through
and help to positively influence and curb the behavior. Unfortunately, it's too
easy to turn a blind eye to the behavior and in so doing,
the behavior continues and in many cases gets worse.
Determine the Purpose for the Behavior:
Typically there are 4 reasons for inappropriate
behavior (according to Dreikurs):
·
Attention
·
Revenge
·
Power
·
Display of Inadequacy
Attention: When a child can't get
your attention, they'll often act out to get it.
Revenge A child doesn't feel loved for some reason and seeks
revenge for attention, they feel important when they hurt others or hurt the
feelings of others.
Power These children need to be the 'boss'. They only feel
important when they are the boss. Power
struggles become numerous in these situations.
Display of Inadequacy These children usually
have low confidence and self-esteem levels and will give up quickly thinking
they can't do anything. They don't often have a sense of doing something
successful.
The Attention Seeking Child
This child constantly does things to get your
attention and it can become quite annoying. They will blurt out and tell you
what they did or that they're finished etc. Their desire for attention is
almost insatiable. Much of what they do is done to get attention. It doesn't
seem to matter that you provide lots of attention - they continually seek more.
Why?
The Attention Seeking child is in need of more
attention than most. They seem to have something to prove and don't take as
much pride intrinsically as they do extrinsically. This child may not have a
sense of belonging. Try and understand the need - this child may have a low
self-esteem and may need some confidence building. Sometimes the attention
seeker is simply just immature.
Treatment;
·
Sit down with this
child and explain to them that you have a number of children to work with each
day. Provide them with a time that is just for them. Even a 2 minute period
before or after recess that is their time. Stick to it! Each time they look for
the attention, remind them of their specific time. In time if you're
consistent, you will see that this strategy can work quite well.
·
Promote intrinsic
motivation. Ask the child what they like about what they did.
·
Always commend the
child on his/her improvement.
·
During the child's
special time, take time to boost their confidence.
·
Provide the child
with responsibilities and a leadership role from time to time.
§
Students often don't
know what appropriate behavior is - they need to be taught! Teach the
appropriate interactions, responses, anger management
- social skills. Use role play and drama.
§
Expect/demand
appropriate responses by ensuring the bully apologizes directly to the victim.
§
Have a 0 tolerance
classroom policy in place that is well understood.
§ As much as possible, recognize and reward positive behavior.
BULLYING
This child bullies others and can be quite a
manipulator. He/she is frequently involved in name calling and likes to make
fun of others. He/she will antagonize others, involves him/herself in fighting
or instigating fights or arguments and belittling others. The bully is
described as being 'insensitive' to others. He/she likes to solve problems by
winning fights and arguments. Aggressive children often threaten others. Other
students will fear the bully as he/she will be both verbally and physically
aggressive. The bully loves power, is dominant and is usually 'guiltless'. The
bully tends to be lacking in empathy and compassion.
Why?
The bully is usually somebody that was bullied.
There may be an issue at home (physical/mental abuse or neglect, or very poor
role modeling). Remember, the bully doesn't suffer from self-esteem.
Treatment
·
As much as possible,
recognize and reward positive behavior.
·
You need to sit with
the bully in a one to one situation to find out where the behavior stems from.
Ensure you have eye contact, engage the bully in conversation to find out what
those deep roots are.(Family problems, lack of social skills, psychiatric or
psychological disorder)
·
Teach cooperative
skills, teach anger management, teach empathy. Use
drama (role playing) when you can.
·
The bully thinks
it's ok to be abusive, you will need to teach
otherwise.
·
You need a 'No
Tolerance' policy and the bully has to be a part of the implementation of the
policy. The bully needs to fully understand the no tolerance policy.
·
Consistent use of
effective consequences. Over time, this method will reduce the amount of
bullying.
·
The entire staff
needs to be involved to curb this behavior - using the consistent consequences.
·
If you can build
home/family connections, this too will assist in the consistency of approaches
used and consequences implemented.
·
This child may need
counseling and you may be instrumental in ensuring that this happens with a
professional.
·
Bullies need to be
taught to be accountable for their actions and state what they did, how it
should have been handled and what they will do next time. Bullies also need to
self-monitor.
AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR
This child will
often antagonize others, involves him/herself in fighting or instigating fights
or arguments. This type can often be seen as a bully and tends to have just a
few friends. He/she likes to solve problems by winning fights and arguments.
Aggressive children often threaten others. Other students often fear the
aggressor as he/she will be both verbally and physically aggressive.
Why?
The aggressor will
rarely have self-confidence and gains it through aggressive behavior.
Aggressors are attention seekers and they enjoy the attention they gain from
being aggressive. Power brings attention and the aggressor has learned this.
Due to the child's weaker self-image and the fact that he or she doesn't fit
in, they try aggressive behavior and soon become leaders, even though they
usually know that they are behaving inappropriately.
Treatment:
·
Never ignore inappropriate aggressions and do not get drawn into a
power struggle with the aggressor.
·
Be firm but gentle in your approach. Remember, the aggressor can
handle the tough side of you but he/she will succumb to gentleness and it's
really what he wants - the right kind of attention.
·
Deal one to one with the aggressor and devise a plan for him/her to
take control of their own behavior. See behavior contracts.
·
Successful teachers know that when they establish a one to one
relationship with the aggressor, success soon follows. Remember, the aggressor
can usually tell if you genuinely like him/her, be genuine, this child merely
needs attention.
·
Provide opportunities for this child to act appropriately and get
some badly needed attention, give him/her responsibilities and provide praise.
·
Catch the aggressor behaving well and provide immediate, positive
feedback. In time, you will see that the aggressive behaviors will start to
diminish.
·
Provide him/her with activities that bring forth leadership in a
positive way, always let him/her know that you care, trust and respect him.
Remind him/her that it's the inappropriate behaviors that you don't like.
·
Provide as many methods as you can for this child to take ownership
for his/her inappropriate behavior. Probe him/her with how should that have
been handled and how will it be handled next time.
Never forget that
ALL children need to know you care about them and that they can contribute in a
positive way. It took the child a long time to become a master of aggressive
behavior, be consistent, patient and understand that change will take time.
This child is often caught up in 'distorting
the truth'. Do not let lying become a habit.
Why?
The child who exaggerates, tells lies or
distorts the truth does so for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they feel that
they are not liked (for reasons often unknown) and will tell lies to make the
listener like him/her more. They have learned that some forms of distorting the
truth get them some attention; this sometimes compensates for their feelings of
inadequacies. Sometimes the child will lie to avoid being reprimanded or to
avoid consequences that they believe will happen with a truth. Some children lie to get others into trouble, these children are often in
trouble themselves. Children often lie to avoid tasks,
a child will say that their homework is done in order to do something more
pleasurable. Children don't like to get caught when misbehaving and will often
lie or stretch the truth.
We must remember though, chronic or habitual
liars rarely feel good about themselves. Look for patterns in the child's lying, does the lying only occur at specific times or in
specific situations? Try and determine what the child's needs are that makes
him/her want to lie.
Treatment:
·
Always model
'telling the truth', avoid 'little white lies.
·
Teach your child
through role playing, the value of telling the truth. This will take time and
some patience.
·
Role play the potential devastating
consequences of lying.
·
Do not accept
excuses for lying, lying is not acceptable.
·
Children should
understand the hurtful consequences of lying and whenever possible, they should
apologize for lying.
·
Logical consequences
need to be in place for the child who lies.
·
No matter what,
children need to know that lying is never acceptable and will not be tolerated.
·
Children often lie
to keep their parents or teacher happy, they need to know that you value the
truth much more than a small act of misbehavior.
·
Children need to be
part of the solution and or consequences. Ask them what they are prepared to
give or do as a result of the lie.
·
Remind the child
that you're upset with what he/she did. Reinforce that it's not the child but
what he/she did that upset you and let him/her know that you are disappointed.
You know the saying - bring them up before you bring them down. For instance:
"It is so unlike you to lie about your homework, you're so good at getting
things done and staying on top of things."
·
Praise the truth!
Catch them telling the truth at a time when you know they would like to sugar
coat a situation.
·
Avoid lectures and
quick irrational decisions. E.g., if you lie again, you'll be grounded for a
year!"
This child
constantly teases and pokes fun at others and is often seen as picking on them.
Teasing is actually another form of criticizing and harassment, the child who
teases is usually 'putting others down'. Unfortunately, it's the child with
special needs that is often getting the brunt of teasing. Ironically, it's
often the child with a behavior disorder that is doing the teasing.
Why?
At some point most
children have taken part in teasing. Some tease because the one being teased is
just different and the teaser doesn't understand those differences. Others
tease because they take pleasure in poking fun and it's a quick way to get
attention. Sometimes the child who teases just likes to hurt others and if they
get the response they're looking for, they'll continue to tease that much more.
Usually the teaser has a lower self-esteem, or is someone that has been picked
on him/herself. Some children tease out of sheer
ignorance. It must be noted however, that a certain amount of teasing can help
children build strategies and become stronger socially.
Treatment:
·
The teaser needs to be taught that he is hurting others. This can
be accomplished through some role playing.
·
The teaser needs to be taught about difference among children, why
a child may stutter or why a child looks different, or why a child has a limp
etc.
·
It's important to find out why the teaser teases and educate the
child about the harmful consequences.
·
Children also need to be taught what to do in the event that they
witness teasing. Teasing need not be tolerated.
·
Teach the skills for dealing with the teaser (ignoring, finding a
better friend to play with, don't over react, teach the child that's being
teased that they 'can handle it'.
·
The teaser needs to know that teasing will not be accepted and will
not be tolerated in the classroom.
·
Teach the child that is getting teased to provide the teaser with a
response they're not expecting. For instance, if they're being teased about
their glasses or a piece of clothing, have them say "Thanks, I quite like
them too", and ask them to walk away.
·
Children need to be part of the solution and or consequences. Ask
them what they are prepared to give or do as a result of the hurt they've cause
through teasing.
·
Remind the child that you're upset with what he/she did. Reinforce
that it's not the child but what he/she did that upset you and let him/her know
that you are disappointed. You know the saying - bring them up before you bring
them down. For instance: "It is so unlike you to tease XXXX about his/her
glasses."
·
Praise the teaser for positive interactions, this will help his/her
self-esteem and hopefully reduce the amount of teasing he/she embarks on.
·
Avoid lectures and quick irrational decisions. E.g., if you tease
again, you'll be suspended!"
Tantrum
When your toddler throws a kicking, screaming
tantrum, stay calm as they want your attention for the wish to be fulfilled which
is not genuine
at the moment of this action. Follow these guidelines:
Be a More
Positive Parent
Forget yelling and nagging. Focus
on positive discipline to bring out the best in your kids and create a more
harmonious household.
8 Great
Ways to Get Your Kids to Cooperate